Wrapping machine



1945. c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN 1 OR.

Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 'zm w Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT WRAPPfNG MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 3 M ENT OR. 6.701191%? JMaZlzz'ot Y 1945- c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 28, 1945- c. J. MALH'IOT WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Shee'ts-Sheet 6 Aug. 28, 1945- c. J. MALHIOT WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENIOR. dlan zzaadffl izz'o uiau m Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, l94l l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

BY dZaraz'e JMaZ/zz'o J W14 v M.

Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALH IOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 9 1945- c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTOR. QZaraza J Mai/2106 Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT 2,333,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 11 Aug. 1945' c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR.

diary/241w Afazizz'ot ,M TTO EYS.

Aug. 28, 1945. c. J. MALHIOT 2,383,664

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed June 20, 1941 13 Sheets-Sheet 13 Patented Aug. 28, 1945 WRAPPING MACHINE Clarence J. Malhiot, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to F. B. Redington Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 20, 1941, Serial No. 398,987

34 Claims.

This invention relates to wrapping machines for wrapping rolls of material, such as rolls of paper towels, toilet paper, or wound rolls of flexible material such as paper cloth and the like.

The machine and method to which the invention pertains is adapted to wrap rolls of material either substantially cylindrical or otherwise, and is particularly adaptable for wrapping cylindrical rolls of flexible material such as toilet paper, paper towels and fabric material. The present machine shown herein is an actual embodiment of a machine now operating in the field for wrapping toilet paper, and while the present machine is described as'wrapping rolls of toilet paper, it is just as adaptable for other rolled material such as paper towels and the like. Therefore, while the machine is described in this specification as relating to the wrapping of rolls of toilet paper, the terms herein are illustrative only to the method of wrapping articles of the present character regardless of their dimensions, and the invention is not to be limited to the wrapping of toilet paper merely because the invention has been described in connection with that commodity.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved machine adapted to be continuously operated for continuously wrapping rolls of flexible material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wrapping machine of the class described wherein there is provided a continuously operating conveyor for continuously feeding rolls of material to be wrapped to a predetermined position and then wrapping the rolls successively as they are being continuously fed through the various wrapping, folding and sealing operations.

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a wrapping machine which is adapted to wrap rolls of material, the material being rotated prior to the wrapping operation to rewind any unwound portion or extending tails thereon so as to insure a fully wound roll to facilitate proper wrapping.

A further object of the invention is the provis on of a new and improved continuously operating wrapping machine embodying new and improved mechanisms operating in timed relationship and in proper synchronism to effect wrapping and folding operations consecutively and in proper timed sequence.

Still another object of the invention is an improved method for completely and securely wrapping rolls of material such as toilet paper. paper towels and other like or similar materials made of paper fabric and the like.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a wrapping machine having new and improved means for continuously feeding articles to be wrapped to a predetermined position and then causing the articles to be wrapped in a predetermined manner according to a predetermined arrangement, the various mechanisms for effecting the completing of the various wrapping and folding operations being effected while the material passes continuously through the machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for placing a wrapper about the article with parts of the wrapper extending beyond the ends of the article to be wrapped and then folding in the free ends of the wrapper at various stages during the continuous progressive movement of the material through the machine, there being new and improved means located in a particular manner to effect the proper operations as the articles move continuously through the machine.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for continuously conveying and transferring the articles from one position to another, the various steps of the wrapping and folding operations being accomplished at predetermined positions as the articles pass continuously from one position to another.

Another object of the invention is the provision of new and improved means for passing an article through a wrapper, causing the wrapper to be placed about the article, while the article is being transferred from one continuously operating wheel or conveyor to another continuously operating wheel or conveyor, the transferring taking place while both wheels, the article, and the wrapper are in motion.

Another object of the invention is the position, location and construction of the various parts, all operating in proper synchronism and properly correlated to effect continuous wrapping and folding operations on the article to be wrapped as the article is moving continuously through the machine.

A still further object is the provision of new and improved means for effecting the proper operation of the parts in timed relationship so that the articles may be wrapped at a high speed as they move continuously through the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail front elevational view of the improved machine;

Fig. 2 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 at the front end of the machine and showing the intake conveyor;

Fig. 4 is a detail front elevational view of the transfer wheel;

Fig. 5 is a detail transverse sectional view through the transfer wheel, said view being taken on the line 55 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational view of the wrapping wheel and some of the associated parts;

Fig. 6a is a detail sectional view showing the position of some of the parts just prior to the completion of forming the longitudinal seam;

Fig. 7 is a detail elevational view of part of the wrapping wheel structure looking in the direction of the arrows !1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a detail top plan view looking in the direction of the arrows 8--8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail elevational view of the end folding mechanism and the delivery conveyor co-operating with the wrapping wheel;

Fig. 11 is a detail elevational view partly in section on the line H-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows l2-I2 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a detail elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows l3l3 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13a is a detail plan view of certain parts of the machine showing the first end folders;

Fig. 14 is a detail sectional view on the line I4l4 of Fig.10;

Fig. 15 is a detail plan elevation of part of the end folding mechanism and the delivery conveyor;

Fig. 16 is a detail sectional view on the lines Hil6 of Figs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 1'7 is a detail sectional view on the line ll-l'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the driving mechanism;

Fig. 19 is a detail end elevational view of a roll with the wrapper secured thereabout in tubular form;

Figs. 20 and 21 are end elevations of the roll with the wrapper partly folded about the ends thereof;

Fig. 22 is a detail end elevational view .of a roll having the folds completed about the ends thereof;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 but showing an end seal securing the folds in folded position; and

Figs. 24 to 31, inclusive, are schematic views showing various cycles of operation of the package holding, folding and releasing mechanism.

The particular machine herein disclosed for the purpose of illustrating the invention is shown applying and completely folding a wrapper about tubular rolls of toilet paper. This toilet paper wrapping machine comprises a suitable supporting frame 1 including oppositely disposed front and rear walls connected together in any suitable manner, such as by transverse connecting rods or bars.

Intake conveyor Conveyor mechanism 2 is operatively mounted to the left of the frame or support, Figs. 1 and 3, and is adapted to convey rolls of toilet paper :3 to a transfer wheel 4.

The conveyor 2 comprises spaced chains 5 which lead over suitable driving sprockets 6 mounted on a transverse shaft I mounted at the upper part of the supporting frame I. Other sprockets, not shown, are provided at the opposite end of the conveyor in the usual conventional manner. Each conveyor chain 5 comprises a plurality of spaced apart, pivotally connected links 8. the upper reach of each chain eing upp on its under side by a plate or other suitable support 9. Each chain 5 carries a plurality of spaced article conveying members H! which are pivotally mounted at their forward ends, as indicated at H, Fig. 3, to a pivot to which the links of the chain are pivotally connected together. The forward ends of the article conveying members III are spaced above the normal surface of the chain support 9 and incline rearwardly so that the lower trailing ends rest upon and are supported by the member 9, Fig. 3, so as to prevent forward tipping of the carrying members l0 and to insure that the leading edges will not dig into or otherwise foul the under supports 9. Side rails 12 are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor to act as side guides for the rolls 3 when they are positioned in the article carrier mem-- bers Hi, Figs. 1 and 2. These side rails or guides I2 are supported in positions intermediate their ends by straps or other holding members l3. Suitably positioned braces or supports M, Fig. 1, may be provided properly to support the conveyor. The sprockets 6 are continuously driven and drive the continuous chains 5 of the conveyor whereby there is provided a continuously operating conveyor.

The continuously operated conveyor 2 is adapted to deliver rolls 3 continuously and successively to the transfer wheel 4. The article carrying members 10 are adapted to be shifted to proper position to deliver the rolls to the com veyor wheel when they reach practically the end of the conveyor. These article carrying mem bers II], at the end of their conveying position and just prior to the time the articles 3 are delivered to the transfer wheel and after leaving the under supporting plate 9. engage an arcuate shaped guide l5, Fig. 3. This arcuate shaped guide terminates in a straight surface I6, Fig. 3, which guides the rearward free ends of each of the members l0, and thereby causes the proper tilting position of these members so as to effect the proper delivery of the articles from the members In to the receiving members on the transfer wheel 4. This construction and arrangement permits the free delivery of the articles from the members I!) and prevents the members Hi from in any way digging into or otherwise damaging or mutilating the rolls 3. The straight surface l6 acts as a guide for the return of the carriers [0, causing them to attain an inverted position, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The lower' reaches of the chains return the carrying members H] in an inverted position until they reach the far end of the conveyor, at which time they are again raised into proper operative position. During the return movement of the carrying members 10 they will be supported by an under supporting member I].

Transfer wheel The transfer wheel 4, more clwly shown in Figs. 4 and 5, comprises spaced disks l8 integrally connected by a hub l-9 which is rigidly secured to a driven shaft 20 which supports and rotates the delivery wheel 4. A plurality of article receiving members 2| extend radially from the transfer wheel and project outwardly and radially a predetermined distance beyond the outer periphery of the disks l8. Each transfer wheel receiving member 2| comprises parts operatively connected to each of the disks H3. The parts of each member 2| on one disk l8 on one side of the transfer Wheel are identical in all respects to the parts mounted on the other disk l8 on the opposite side of the transfer wheel 4. Each transfer wheel carrying or receiving member 2| comprises spaced apart roll supporting members in the form of levers 22 which are pivot-ally mounted at 23 on pins 24. The pins 24 are arranged in bosses 25 which are formed integrally on the outer surface of each disk l8. Tail pieces 26 extending at right angles to the levers or arms 22 are made integral with these arms 22 and are adapted to control the pivotal movement of the members 22. Rollers 21 are carried at the extreme outer ends of the tail pieces 26 which are adapted to be operated by a cam member for swinging the lever arms 22 inwardly and outwardly. The members 22 are provided on their inner surfaces with a circular tapered protuberance 28 which is adaptable to be received in the central core portion extending transversely through the rolls 3. These protuberances 28 act in effect as an axis or shaft upon which the rolls 3 may be revolubly supported. The inward movement of the levers 22 is limited so that they will move inwardly a predetermined distance properly to support a roll 3 revolubly between faces, but will be prevented from clamping or otherwise squeezing the roll. Springs 29 are mounted on pins 30 which are rigidily secured to the outer surfaces of the disks l8. These springs tend to hold each of the arms 22 inwardly against their stops. These springs 29 also tend to return the levers 22 into proper spaced supporting position when the rollers 27 are no longer under the influence of their operating cams. Spaced cams 3| are arranged on opposite sides of the disks l8 and are adapted to co-operate with the cam rollers 21 on the tail pieces 26 which are rigidly secured to each of the members 22. These cam members 3| are stationary and thus, during rotation of the transfer wheel 4, the holding arms or levers 22 are adapted to be spread apart a predetermined distance to permit an article to be received therebetween or to permit an article to be discharged therefrom.

The transfer wheel 4 rotates in a clockwise direction, Fig. 4, and each article carrying or receiving member 2| is adapted to be spread apart so as to receive an article discharged from the conveyor 2. As the transfer wheel 4 rotates, the levers 22 will be spread apart when a cam roller 21 engages the leading end 32 of the cam 3|. Each roller -21, when in position with respect to the leading end 32 of the cam, will cause the levers 22 to be moved outwardly on their pivots 24 to spread the levers 22 the proper distance apart. When the rollers 21 leave the trailing end 33 of the cam, Fig. 4, the cam will have no further influence over the levers 22 and therefore the springs 29 will move the levers 22 inwardly against their stops. The construction and positions of the cams 3| is such that the levers or arms 22 will be spread apart to receive a roll until the conveyor 2 has carried a roll 3 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Immediately after the conveyor 2 has moved a roll to position to be deposited between the spaced arms 22, the rollers 21 will have left the trailing end 33 of the cam. 3|, at which time the levers or jaws 22 will move inwardly and support the roll revolubly on the protuberances 28.

The transfer wheel 4 is so constructed and operates in proper timed relationship with respect to the movement of the conveyor, that an. article receiving member 2| will be in proper position with respect to a roll being discharged from the conveyor 2. After a roll is received between the spaced jaws or levers 22 it will be revolubly supported on the members 28 which act as an axis for the rolls, and carried by the transfer wheel to delivery position to a wrapping wheel 34. The delivery position of the roll will be at that point where the cam roller 21 first engages the leading end 32 of the cam 3|.

In wrapping articles such as toilet paper there is frequently, if not always, an unwound portion extending from the roll in the form of a. tail 35. This unwound portion or tail 35 has always presented a difiiculty in the proper wrapping or packaging of the roll. It is therefore desirable and advantageous that this extending tail 35 be rewound on the roll and maintained in such rewound position prior to the wrapping of the roll. In the present embodiment the rewinding, so as to cause the tail 35 to be wound against the roll, is accomplished by engaging a peripheral surface of the roll during its orbital movement against a shoe 36, Fig. 4, having an outer flexible rubber-faced surface 31. The shoe 36 is a hoopshaped member having one of its ends secured at 38 to the under side of the return rail ll of the conveyor 2, and its other end secured at 39 to the upper side of the return rail of the conveyor 2, Fig. 4. The member 36 is arcuate, in the form of a semi-circle, commencing at the point 40 and extending to the point 4|. The outer surface between the points 46 and 4| is covered with flexible resilient material, such as rubber. The semi-circular portion between the points 48 and 4| is arranged in juxtaposition with respect to the rolls so that the bottom of the rolls will engage the outer rubber surface 31 so that during rotation of the transfer wheel 4 there will be peripheral engagement between the rolls 3 and the rubber semi-circular part 31. This periph'era1 engagement or physical contact of the roll with the member 31 will cause the individual rolls 3 to rotate in a clockwise direction about their axes comprising the circular tapering protuberances 28. Each roll 3, therefore, is being rotated about its own axis as well as moving in an orbit. Therefore, the unwound portions or tails 35 will be caused to be wound tightly and properly against the balance of theroll and released in that position at the discharge position of the transfer wheel 4. The cam members 3| are each supported by upper and lower posts or supports 42 and 43, Figs. 4 and 5.

Wrapping wheel The wrapping wheel 34 comprises a solid disk 44 which is secured by bolts 45 to a hub 46. The hub 46 is fixed to a transverse shaft 41 which is revolubly mounted in suitable bearings in the frame. The shaft 41 is driven in proper timed relationship with respect to the transfer wheel 4 so as to receive articles properly as they are discharged from the transfer wheel 4. The disk 44 is provided with a plurality of arcuate indentations about its periphery into which there are mounted relatively semi-cylindrical article supports 48 into which the articles are received p ogressively as theyare discharged from the trans: fer wheel 4 plurality of U Shaped first folder arms 49 are pi'votally mounted 011' Sinus {m Drojecting outwardly from the disl; '44." e arms 5| of the first folder arms 49 are integrally n c ed by a cross piece 52 throu h w ich p ns 53 are slidably mounted. The lower ends of the pins 53 are rigidly co nected to'a plate 54. Springs 55 surround the pins 53 and tend to lige the plate 54 away from the cross member 52so as to'move the plate 54 against a (ac-operating plate member 56 fastened to a straight part 51 extending inwardly of the periphery of the dish 44, the pins 53 being provided with washersand cotter pins to limit the movement of the plate 54 away from the cross portion 52.

One of the arms 5| of the U-shaped member 49 s p i d with a rigid extension or tailpiece 58 which carries a roller 58 for co-operation with a stationary cam 60. The cam 60 is rigidly ecured to the frame in any conventional manner, such as by studs or posts 6|, Fig. "1. The cam is adapted to control the movement of the members 49 on their pivots 58. "The plate '54 carried by the pins 53 is adapted to be'm'oved toward and away from the rigidly ecured plate 56 so as to provide a space between the plates 54 and 56 for the e ept n of the ead n ed e f a wra e 62 which is'adaptedto be wrapped about a'roll 3.

Thus, when a first folder arm 49 attains a predetermined position prior to arriving at article receiving position from the trans er wheel 4, the cam 60 will cause the arm 58 to be swung on t pivot 5!) and raise the clamping surface 54 upwardly away from the rigid clamping surface 56. When the members '54 and 56 are in such spaced position a wrapper 62, which is fed through guide members 63, Fig.6, will be received between the opposed faces of the members 54 and 56. The inward movement of the wrapper 62 is limited by an extension 64 formed on the rigid plate 56, which, in effect, provides a pock t to receive and properly locate the leading edge of the oncoming wrapper 62. The feeding of the wrapper 62 is such that a wrapper will be fed at the propeztime and at the proper position with respect .to th open jaws 54 and 56 on the continuously rotating wrapping wheel 34. As soon as the wrapper has roller 59 will drop toward the lower si rface of the cam, thereby swingin the folder ar pivots, and bring the plate 54 into clamping en gagement with the plate 56 .whereby the wrapper or sheet will be securely clamped between the plates 54 and 56. The continued rotation of the wheel 34 will, therefore, bring the clamped sheet beneath an oncoming roll in the transfer wheel 4. As the wrappin wheel 34 and the transfer wheel 4 continue to rotate, a semi-circular receiving part 48 will be directly beneath one of the article carrying and receiving members 2| of the transfer wheel 4. In this latter position and because of the clamping engagement of the members 54 and 56 with the sheet, the sheet will be properly stretched out or laid over the upper concave surface of the article receiving member 2| on the disk 44. ,As soon as the concave surfac 48 coincides with a roll on the transfer wheel 4, as indicated at A in Fig. ,6, acam roller 21 will engage the leading edge 32 of the transfer wheel cam 3|, causing the arms 22 .to spread apart and thereby completely release the roll 3 from the transfer wheel 4.

49 .on their 1 been fed between the plates 54 and,"56 th "315211 l The continued rotation of the wrapping wheel 34 moves the roll from position A in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 6, at which time the cam roller 59 will engage a hump 65 on the cam 63), causing the plates 54 and 56 to be again spread apart to unclamp the sheet of wrapping material. However, the sheet will continue to remain in the pocket 64 for a continued cycle of op ration. After the sheet 62 has been unclamped between the surfaces 54 and 56, the rear free edge 66, Fig. 6, of a preceding roll 3 will be forced down against the body of the roll 3 by means of a folding blade 61. The folding blade 61 is rigidly secured to the folder arms 49 and includes a folding edge 68 and a concave shoe 69. The edge 68 is adapted to en gage the end 66 of the sheet 62 and force it against the body of the roll. The shoe 69 then comes in contact with the peripheral body of the roll and tends to smooth out or iron the wrapper against the body of the roll.

The continued rotation of the wrapping wheel 34 causes the folding blade 61 to press tightly against the wrapper and hold it against the roll, as shown at B in Fig. 6. In this latter position a second folding arm 10 will be caused to engage the wrapper 62 and pull it out of the pocket 64 in the manner clearly shown at position B in Fig. 5. The folder arm 10 comprises a hook-shaped end 1| which is adapted to engage the wrapper and hold it tightly against the roll, permitting the free end 12 of the wrapper to snap out of the pocket 64 and permit it to rest against a guide 13. The folder arm 10 is pivoted on the same pivoted pin 50 so as to permit proper movement toward and away from a roll. The folder arm 10 comprises a pair of spaced arms 14, one of which carries'a rigid extension or tail piece 15 upon which there is revolubly mounted a cam roller 16. The cam roller 16 is adapted to ride on the peripheral urface of a stationary cam 11 which is rigidly secured to the frame by means of bolts or studs 18. This cam 11 is provided with a raised surface 19, and a lower surface which controls the operation of the folding arms 10. Thus, when a cam roller 16 is on the hump or high spot of the cam 11, the folder arms 10 will be removed or spaced from the roll, but when the cam roller 16 is on the. low part 80 of the cam, the folder arms 18 will be brought into engagement with the wrapper o force the wrapper against the roll. When a roll arrives at the position indicated at B in Fig. 6, the folding blade 61 will hold the rear free trail- -ing edge166 of the wrapper against the roll, while the forward leading edge of the wrapper will be bent downwardly from the forward end of the hook-shaped end 1| of a second folder arm 10'. The part of the wrapper projectin from the end 1| of the second folder arm 10 will be against a guide 13 where it will be in a position tb be fed for physical contact by a glue stencil 8| by the continued counter-clockwise rotationof the wrap ping Wheel 34.

The glue stencil 8| is adapted to wipe against the peripheral surface of a driven glue roller 82 which extends downwardly a predetermined distance into the glue or other adhesive substance 83, Fig. 6, in a receptacle 84 formed in the glue housing 85, The elements 8| and 82 are mounted on shafts 86 and 81, respectively, suitably mounted in bearings in the glue housing frame 85, which is rigidly secured to the main frame of the machine. The glue stencil 6| is adapted to apply a predetermined amount of glue or other adhesive along the entire longitudinal edge of the wrapper and on the inner surwheel carries the roll past the presser roller.

face thereof so that it will be glued to the exterior or outside surface of the trailing edge of the wrapper. A guide 88 is positioned adjacent the glue stencil BI and has a arcuate surface concentric with the glue stencil so as to insure the end I2 of the wrapper, Fig. 6, definitely contacting the surface of the glue stencil to have the proper amount of glue applied thereto. A scraper 89, Fig. 6, is arranged adjacent the glue roller 82 to insure the proper thickness of glue on the surface thereof to be transferred to the stencil 8 I.

Auxiliary folding mechanism Auxiliary folding mechanism 90 is adapted to insure the proper overlapping of the edges of the wrapper about the roll by tucking in the extreme edge of the trailing end 66 of the wrapper 62. This auxiliary folding mechanism 90 comprises a pair of auxiliary folding blades 9|, each of which operate on alternate successive rolls as they are moved to proper position. Each folding blade 9| and the means in which it is operated are identical and, therefore, only one need be described. The folder blade 9| is mounted on an arm 92 and extends forwardly therefrom in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 6a. The arm 92 is pivotally connected at 93 to a lever 94 rigidly secured to a driven shaft 95. A cam roller 96 is operatively secured to the arm 92 and is adapted to engage a cam race 91 formed in a stationary cam 98 rigidly secured to a part of the frame. Rotation of the shaft 95 therefore causes each arm 92 to move in an orbit, but the shape of the cam it such that the foldingblade 9| is moved into engagement with the wrapper and then forced to back away at the proper time.

The purpose of the auxiliary blade 9| isto hold the edge 66 of the wrapper 62 firmly against the body of the roll 3 and cause this edge to be tucked under the leading edge I2 of the wrapper as it passes over a rotary mounted presser roll 99. The roll as it moves from the position indicated at B in Fig. 6, therefore, will have the leading edge of the wrapper on its under side glued and then caused to be properly pressed against the roll 3 by the presser roll 99 and securely wiped or ironed to the outer surface of the trailing edge 66 of the wrapper 62. The folder 9| moves forwardly into engagement with the trailing edge 66 of the wrapper 62 a predetermined distance but not sufficient to come into contact with the presser roller 99. The continued rotation of the wheel 34 thus draws the leading edge of the wrapper underneath the presser roller 99, causing it to be glued to the trailing edge 66 of the wrapper 62. As soon as the trailing edge of the wrapper 62 arrives substantially at the presser roller 99, the auxiliary blade 9| will retract and move away from the roll.

The continued rotation of the wheel will cause the presser roller 99 to press the longitudinal glued seam to insure proper adhesion. The presser roller 99 is substantially as long as the width of the wrapper 62 and is mounted to roll against a roll 3 as it is being moved by the Wrapping wheel 34. The presser roller 99 is supported on arms I which are pivotally mounted at IOI, Fig. 6, to a part of the frame. Springs I02 are positioned beneath the lower end of the arms I00 to urge the arms I00 and consequently the presser roller 99 toward the periphery of the wrapping wheel so as to provide spring pressure against the seam of the package as the wrapping The glued edges are maintained in proper contact during continued rotation of the wheel by a flexible weighted strap I03, Fig. 6. This strap I03 has its leading end to the left, Fig. 6, rigidly secured to a part of the machine frame and its lower end passing over a pin I04, Fig. 6, mounted on part of the machine frame. The free end of the member I03 is \provided with a weight I05 so as to cause the flexible member I03 to engage the roll at the glued seam. The glued seam is in continuous contact with the flexible member I03 and the roll at the seam is pressed or wiped against the flexible member I03 so as to maintain the wrapper in proper glued contact for a predetermined distance of travel, after which time the glue has dried sufficiently to cause the seam to be properly sealed. The weight I05 is to provide for proper flexibility and to create the proper amount of pressure against the glued seam.

After the two free edges of the wrapper have been glued together to form a glued seam I06, Fig. 19, the wrapper, which is now in tubular form about the roll with the ends of the wrapper extending a predetermined distance beyond the edge of the roll, as shown in Fig. 19, is now in position to have the tubular extensions I0'I on each end of the roll forced down against the ends I08 of the roll 3.

The means for folding the projecting ends I01 of the now tubular wrapper extending beyond the ends of the roll comprises rotary end folders I09 and stationary end folders IIO, Figs. l0, l3, and 13a. The rotary end folders I09 comprise folder arms III rigidly secured to driven shafts I I2. The driven shafts II2 are suitably mounted in bearings provided in the machine frame and carry bevel gears II3 which mesh with companion bevel gears M4 on a shaft II5. The shaft II5 is driven from a gear IIB fixed to one end of the shaft II5, Figs. 10 and 13. The folder arms III of the rotary folder I09 rotate continuously and are timed with respect to the movement of the wrapping wheel 34 so that when a roll reaches a predetermined proper position the folder arms III will engage the projecting tubular extension I01 on each end of the roll and press the extension downwardly against the opposed faces I08 of the roll. Substantially at the same time the rotary folder arms II I engage the extension I01 to make the first folding operation, the package will be moved against the stationary opposed folders H0 and cause the tubular extension I01 to be also folded inwardly against the opposed ends I08 of the roll, whereby the extending end of the wrapper will assume the position shown in Fig. 20. The stationary folders I I0 are relatively long and maintain the folds caused by both the rotary folder I09 and the stationary folder IIO to be maintained in folded position tightly against the surfaces I08 of the roll. The roll is then brought into a second folding position by the rotative movement of the wrapping wheel 34.

The means for effecting the next or subsequent folding operation comprises a pair of opposed second end folders II! which are substantially drum-shaped, as shown in Figs. 10 and 14. These rotary drum-shaped folder members II'I comprise a rigid forwardly extending finger IIB which is positioned in a relatively V-shaped space or opening provided in the periphery of the drum and has its rear end spaced a predetermined distance from the base of the V. The sides of the the extending wrapper l llland tuck the ente nding wrapper inwardly to. form a lower center fold I23, Fig. 21. shortly thereafter, thefingers i 20 and I2.I engage the wrapper 'tofold down the wrapper toprovide the fold's l24 on opposite sides of the first pres'sed downpart ljfi, as shown ,5

in Fig. 21. During the "folding Operation of the lower part I22 of the wrapper, the members IIB, I andI2I will engage the wrapper in the manner shown in. Fig. .21, nd force the wrapper tightly downwardagain'st .the ends of the roll. 4

The peripheral surface 6f the drums II'Ifduring the rotation of the drums completes the folding operation and presses the foldsl tightly securely against the opposed faces I08 of the wrapper to complete the folding pperation, 'a s shown in Fig, 21. The second end folders I I1, are each mounted in supporting brackets or journalsfl which revolubly support shafts I25 upon which the drums .I I! are rigidly secured. The shafts I26 carry bevel gears I21 which mesh with bevel gears I28 mounted on a driven shaft I29, Fig. 10. After the completion of the folding operation by the second end folders III the "package will be completely folded with the exception of the projection-portion of the wrapper .indioatedby the numeral I30 shown at, the upper par'tfof Fig.21. 4

Thelpreviously formed folds are maintained in folded position and held against the ends. I08. of the roll 3 by means of stationary guides I3I,

Fig. 10. ,The space between the guides I3I is substantiallyeequal to the width or the roll. I

In order to complete the folding operation, third end folders I32 are. provided, Figs. 10, 11, andlS. These .th'irdend folders are identical in construction and operation to the previously describedend folders I I1 and include the spaced apart. drums having the forwardly extending fingers I118, edges I I9, and the co-operating folding fingers,.I20 and I 2I. The third endfolders 132 are properly timed with respect to the rotation l of the wrapping wheel and with each other and are to completethe folding operation. The finger II8 engages the projecting unfolded part I30 of thewrapper on each end thereof, presses the wrapper inwardly toward thecenter of the roll, and then is immediately followed by the two other folding fingers I20 and IZIto fold the part I30, Fig. 21 downwardly and tightly against the ends of the roll to finish the folding operation, as shown in Fig. 22. The drums of the third folders I32 are mounted on shafts.l 3;'3, Figs. 11 andf15, which carry bevel gears [34 meshing with bevel gears I35 which are preferably secured to spurlgars I36. Thesp'ur gears I36 mesh with gears I31 fixed to a transverse driven shaft I38. Therotation. of vthe third end folders I32 folds the last hem'd foldsor t eksfls'a, I40, and m, Fig. 22, tightly against the endof the roll and prpperlycrease the wrapper. After the completion of the operation of the third end.folders I32 the rolls 3 are moved to position to be operated upon by presser rollers lii fi l ifiig the .fciig tlfifi ed rotation .of thewrapping wheel, As them spingv wheel34 mpves the. roll toward thejlffiselr rollers I42 the opposite ends .o'fthe roll will cash.- tact with spacedglfides 143, Fighl p to maintain the folds or pleats proper position tightly against the ends of the roll.

Presser rollers The presser rollers HLFiss... 1.1. and .15 are positioned to engage the opposite ends of the roll to press against, roll 'out'and flatten the pleats and folds previously made by thevarious foldingoperations. These presfserlrol lers re, h s tlb d-bfir yond the third set er ene folders I32 ha e one the stationary guides I43. These roliers I4 as more clearly shown in 11 and, 15, are mounted on shafts I44 mounted'infslll table bear: ings I45 secured to the 'mlachihe frame. These shafts each carry a bevel gear F45 which meshes with companion beve1 gears ll'l fixed on a transverse shaft I48. The ends pf the rolls are therefore pressed down by the rollers I42 as the wrapping wheel 34 moves the rolls}? to a'position'tobe discharged on a receiving conveyor I49. the wrapping wheel 34 moves the roll to position to be discharged therefrom the cam roller "ion the hook-shaped second -folders I0 will be released from the roll 3, because thejhigh'spot I on the cam 80 will cause the hook-shaped arms I'I to swung away from the roll 3. Substantially at the time the cam roller iej' rig 'ges the high to on the cam 11 the ca roller 59 will engage a high 'spot I5I on 'its co-operating can) 60 and therefore cause the first folder arms 49 to bereleased from packageengagement, The partswill then be in the position as indicated at C in :5 so as to receive another roll tobe wrapped. The action of the points I50 and IT5I on the cams I! and 60 in co-operation with the respectivecarn rollers I6 and 5!] will cause the partsto move from the position shown in Fig. 29 and assume the "position shown in Fig. 30. As soon "as the wrap ping wheel 34 has moved the roll to the position shown in Fig. 29, the 'artie'le repeiving nierrjiber s I52 on the conveyor I49 will be in substantial engagement with the'roll, as shown in Fig. 29, and as the wrapping wheel continues to rotatejthe parts will be spread apart to the position shown in Fig. 30, at which time the article receiving members I52 on the conveyor will engage the 'articles and deliver them to a predetermined position by the conveyor'mechanism I49. During'tlie transfer of rolls 3 from the wrapping wheel 34 to the receiving conveyor M5 the rolls will hepatitioned between spaced guide plates I53'to'iiiaintain the folds in proper folded position. Also, in assisting in directing the rolls to the conveyor, and to prevent the rolls from continuing iii the wrapping wheel 34, there are provided spaced arcuate shoes I54... These shoes assist in preventing the rolls from being released'fromthe article eceiving members I52 of the conveyor mechanism I49.

After the rolls have been properly received 'on the conveyor mechanism I 49 they areconveyedto another station to have sealsapplied over-the folded ends of the rolls as shown in Fig. 23. The mechanism for applyin these latter namedseals and the method of application are.discl,osed and claimed in applicants .co-pending .application Serial No. 398,988, filed concurrently herewith and assigned to the present assignee. v The conveyor mechanismJIIQ comprises chains I55 trained over sprockets I56 which are loosely mounted upon the previously described shaft I48. The driving sprockets, not hown, for the conveyor I49 are located at the opposite end of the conveyo mechanism I49 for driving the chains I55. The construction of the conveyor mechanism I49 is substantially the same as the previously described feeding or intake conveyor mechanism 2. The conveyor mechanism includes upper spaced guides I51 to engage the opposite ends of each roll 3 as it is being conveyed by the conveyor. The carrier members I52 are attached to the chain I55 and there are supports for the upper reach of the chain as well as a lower return guide for the carrier members I52 the same as those previously mentioned with respect to the conveyor 2. Arcuate guides I58, Fig. 10, are provided to maintain the carrier members I52 in proper position as they are being carried upwardly from the lower reach of the conveyor to the upper reach thereof.

The mechanism and the operating parts are all operated synchronously and in proper timed relation. The parts are driven from a motor I60, Fig. 17, which is mounted on a part of the main frame I. The motor shaft I6I is provided with a V-shaped pulley I62 for driving the V-shaped belts I63. The belts I63 operate a pulley I64 which is secured to a main drive shaft I65. A clutch I66 is interposed between the drive wheel I64 and the drive shaft I65 for the usual purpose, Fig. 17. The clutch is adapted to be operated by means of a handle I61 and its interconnected mechanism. A gear I68, Fig. 17, is rigid with the drive shaft I65 and drives a gear I 69 mounted on a transverse shaft I 10 suitably mounted in the machine frame. The shaft I10 extends through the side of the frame and carries a main drive gear I1I, Fig. 17. The main drive gear I1l meshes with a gear I12 on the shaft I38 which controls the operation of the third end folders I32. The gear I12 meshes with a gear I13 fixed on the transverse shaft I48 for the purpose of driving the presser rollers I42. The main drive gear I1I also meshes with a gear I14 on the shaft I29 for driving the end folder mechanism I IT. The gear I14 drives the gear II6 on the shaft II5 through the idler gears I15 and I16, Fig. 18. A gear I11 secured to the idler gear I16 drives an idler gear I18. The gear I18 has fixed thereto a smaller gear I19 which meshes with and drives a gear I80 on the shaft 41 which shaft rotates the wrapping wheel 34. The gear I80 meshes with and drives an idler gear I8I which, in turn, drives another idler gear I82. The idler gear I82 meshes with and drives a gear I83 fixed onto the shaft 20 which drives the transfer wheel 4. The idler gear I82 also has meshing relation with a gear I84 on the shaft 1 which drives the intake conveyor mechanism 2. An idler gear I85, Fig. 18, is driven by the gear II6 on the shaft H5 and rotates a gear I86 which is fixed to the gear I85. This gear I86 drives a gear I81 on the shaft 95 which supports and drives the auxiliary folding mechanism This latter gear I ment with the clamping plate 56.

Operation The mechanism is driven by the main motor I60, Fig. 17, and the operation of the Darts is controlled by the clutch lever I61. Rolls 3 are fed into the carrier members I0 and conveyed to position with respect to the transfer wheel 4. The transfer wheel takes each successive roll as it reaches a predetermined position. As the rolls leave the conveyor 2 they are fed between the spaced apart jaws or arms 22 where the rolls are revolubly suspended. As the transfer wheel 4 rotates the periphery of each roll will engage the flexible facing 31 and because of the continuous rotation of the transfer wheel 4 the rolls 3 will be given independent rotary movement about their axes, thereby causing the unwound or tail part 35 of each roll to be securely wound tightly about the roll. The transfer wheel delivers each successive roll to position to be received by the wrapping wheel 34. When a roll attains the position indicated at A in Fig. 6, the levers 22 will be released and the roll will then be received in a cylindrical pocket 48 of the transfer wheel. The transfer wheel 34 is a continuously operating wheel and moves the rolls to predetermined positions continuously and progressively to have the various wrapping operations performed. Wrapping material 62, Fig. 6, is fed between the clamping plates 54 and 56 carried on the first folder arms 49 and on a rigid surface on the wrappin wheel, respectively. The cam 60 co-operating with the cam roller 59 on the first folder arms 49 causes the folder arms to attain clamping engage- A sheet of wrapping material 62 is then drawn into position because of the rotation of the wrapping wheel 34, whereby the wrapping material 62 will be spread across a pocket 48. As the wrapping wheel moves the pocket with the wrapper toward the position to receive a roll from the transfer wheel 4. as indicated at position A in Fig. 6, the parts will assume the position shown in Fig. 24, whereby the paper is clamped between clamping members 54 and 56 at the extreme left hand edge of Fig. 24. The wrapper is then arranged beneath the incoming roll 3 which will then be received in the cylindrical receiving member 48 in the wheel 34. The next succeeding first folder arm 49 will then have the folding blade 61 away from the roll but engaging the under side of the wrapper 62, as shown in Fig. 24. The continued movement of the wrapping wheel 34 then causes the parts to assume the position shown in Fig. 25, and then subsequently the position shown in Fig. 26. In Fig. 26 the cam roller 16 is operated by the cam 11, thereby moving the folding lever 10 into engagement with the roll, as shown in Fig. 26. In this latter position the first folder blade 61 will be removed from the roll 3 but will be caused subsequently to contact the roll, as shown in Fig. 27, because a cam roller 59 is being controlled by the cam 60 to move the folder arms 49 toward the roll. The roll will then be clamped by the first folding arms 49 and the second folding arms 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 27. In Fig. 27 the trailing edge 66 of the wrapper 62 will be extending a predetermined distance beyond the end of the first folder blade 61, while the leading edge 12 of the wrapper 62 will be in the position shown in Fig. 27, with its inner surface in contact with the guide 13. The continued rotation of the wrapping wheel 34 with the roll securely clamped between the members 49 and 10 brings the roll in position so that the free edge 12 will be grasped between 

